WEEK 11 REVIEW: Review of Sunday's league and cup action

PREMIER DIVISION

There is no change at the top in the Premier Division after leaders Repton Park earned themselves a hugely important victory at the weekend over a previously unbeaten Romford Elite. The teams reversed fortunes of the previous weekend, Repton responding to their county cup exit with a Charlie Henry hat-trick and Jesse Spearing brace adding to a Bradley Whyat goal to win 6-2. Chris Bird grabbed both of the Elite goal in reply.

Taking advantage of that result were El Valiente who opened up a bit of breathing space in second position as they earned a fifth league win of the season in an enthralling game in East Ham. Facing up to co-tenants Flanders, Reece Simpson scored a hat-trick for Flanders but Luke With responded with a hat-trick of his own with Frankie Edwards’ effort rounding off a nervy 4-3 win.

Moving up a place to fourth in the standings were Warren United as the reigning champions kept themselves in with a sniff of retaining their crown with victory at home to Ultimate Vision in Barkingside. James Peagram and Daniel Bell were both hat-trick heroes with Jon Docker and Sean Green goals cancelling out a Joe Oates strike in an 8-1 win.

DIVISION ONE

Chingford Athletic have returned to the top of the table in Division One as they took advantage of the leaders being in cup action to return home with all three points in their clash with Valentine United. Michael Johnson, Joseph Middleweek and James Clarke were all on the scoresheet in a 3-0 scoreline as Chingford made it six wins for the season.

Ridgeway Rovers remain third in the table but did drop points at the weekend as they visited Korona Redbridge, the only remaining unbeaten side in division so far. Korona recorded their second successive 2-2 draw to make it three wins and three draws from their six matches, five points behind Rovers who have only lost once themselves. Dawid Pietras and Tomasz Cenin grabbed the Korona goals.

St Augustines got back to winning ways and are up to fourth as they brushed aside the efforts of Valiant in Barkingside. Ben Cox was on the scoresheet for Valiant who were looking to respond to their cup reverse last time out. But the Saints were on hot form to win 4-1 and record a fourth league win in eight so far.

It will have been a morning to remember for one of our clubs as Wanstead Albion opened their points account for the season by recording a 6-1 home win against fellow point-less Westferry Elite. In this huge six-pointer, Jerald Aboagye was the hero with a hat-trick with Tyriquee Soloman netting two and Aidan Bailey one in the win.

DIVISION TWO

Ferns Seniors have continued their positive recent form as they confirmed a second league victory of the season on Sunday, earning themselves a 4-1 victory away at Walthamstow Avenue. A pair of braces from Colin Taylor and Liam Coney sent the Chadwell Heath based side to the win that moves them up to ninth place in the standings, a place above their opponents.

DIVISION THREE

In Division Three, Central Colts are still top of the table and remain unbeaten as they took on ninth-placed West Essex on Sunday. In a game of eight goals, Colts scored five of them as they ran out eventual 5-3 victors to open up a five point gap at the top of the table ahead of second placed Alpha. Tunde Olagunju scored a hat-trick with Ansel Abrams and Kelvin Malcolm goals finishing the scoring.

Alpha themselves have slipped back by a couple of points after they were beaten at home against third placed Thames Ironworks Community, themselves moving up to third as they edged a close game 2-1. Kai Brown was on the Alpha scoresheet but Thames responded with two goals of their own to take home the points.

DIVISION FOUR

In Division Four, Woodford remain top of the standings but did drop a couple of points, rescuing a point in their match against East Ham Inter with a late goal. Inter goals from Barjinderpal Singh, Sofyan Khalfi and Adam Bessadi had given them what appeared to be a victory but Jake Silk scored twice and Kevin Butcher once to level it up at 3-3 late on.

Grey Area are now third in the table as they took advantage of Inter dropping points to run out 2-1 home winners over Epping Forest Falcons at Flanders. Connor Frost was back amongst the goals with an effort and Jack Malone got the other goal to earn them an important win to get them back into the promotion frame.

In the day’s remaining league match, Custom House Community played host to Asianos Reserves at the Terry Mac with both sides looking to move up the table. But the sides couldn’t be separated on the day as they scored a goal each in a 1-1 draw which keeps them both hovering in the mid-table region approaching the halfway mark.

COUNTY CUP

In the Essex Sunday Junior Cup, it was a fantastic day for both of our remaining sides as Barking & Dagenham Wanderers made the long trip up to face Braintree Legends and were able to return home victorious. They secured a thumping 6-0 win that keeps them in the hunt for cup glory, securing their place in round four.

The same can be said for Dagenham United who had a slightly more local trip as they were visited by Social Club Birchanger at Old Dagenham Park. The Daggers also managed to pick up a 6-0 win, taking apart their opponents to put themselves in the hat for the fourth round once again.

In the Essex Sunday Junior Trophy, there were also another pair of victories for our clubs with Hornchurch Oakmont racking up an impressive home win against Combination outfit, Beckton United. Oak were 5-2 victors on the day to secure their place in the next round of the competition.

Joining them in that next round will be Royal Albert who were involved in an absolutely belting game of football, sharing the not insignificant sum of nine goals with the travelling opponents Academy Soccer. But Albert eventually edged past Soccer in a 5-4 win to go through to the next stage.

CHARITY CUP

Completing the day’s action was a mouth-watering clash in the West Essex Sunday Charity Cup as two high-flying sides met in the shape of Belfry and SL Menfica in Hainault. Menfica led early on from a set piece but Belfry levelled before the break before winning it late on to go through to the quarter-finals with a 2-1 win under their belts.